Head of Delivery Unit

Job summary

UK Export Finance (UKEF) is a government department and £130 billion financial institution, deploying finance at scale to drive economic growth. We work all around the world building economic bridges between the UK and some of the world’s most exciting and fast-growing markets. This is a particularly exciting moment to join UKEF – Minsters have announced plans to expand UKEF’s work into a range of new areas: economic security, investment, critical minerals and supply chains.

Strategy Division sits at the centre of UK Export Finance, helping the department set its direction and convert ambition into impact.

The Division leads UKEF’s strategy, develops its five-year plan, oversees delivery of the department’s most important commitments, and advises ministers on how to respond to rapid global change. It also leads the department’s governance and communications functions.

Job description

This is one of UKEF’s most influential G6 roles.

As Head of the Delivery Unit, you will lead the function responsible for turning UKEF’s ambitions into results. You will work closely with the Chief Executive, Executive Committee and senior leaders to identify the priorities where additional pace, coordination or challenge can make the greatest difference.

You will lead a portfolio of high-profile projects spanning economic growth, support for SMEs, mobilisation of bank finance, defence and international financing, improvements to transaction processes, and emerging ministerial and government priorities. Over the last twelve months this has covered:

• Designing a delivering a new £50 billion defence facility announced by the Prime Minister.
• Overseeing UKEF's support for Ukraine, including £200m of finance supporting export of enriched uranium from the UK to keep Ukraine’s energy grid functioning, signed by the Foreign Secretary.
• Developing an £11 billion fund with the major high street bank to support SMEs, including designing the scheme and leading negotiations with the banks.
• Leading a technical project, working to the CEO, to speed up transaction execution and deal-flow for UKEF's international finance.

The role combines strategic judgement with hands-on delivery leadership. You will create clarity where objectives or ownership are uncertain; establish practical plans and accountabilities; use data to identify problems; and bring together colleagues from across UKEF and government to overcome barriers.

Some projects will require you to lead directly. On others, you will enable senior owners and multidisciplinary teams to deliver by providing the right structure, evidence, governance and constructive challenge.

You will also shape the Delivery Unit’s future, building a team known for pace, impact, and the ability to make difficult things happen.

Main Activities:

Leadership

1. Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing Delivery Unit, setting a clear purpose and creating an outcome-focused culture. Managing a team of 4 and providing broader visible leadership across the department.
2. Work with the Deputy Director for Strategy, Chief Executive, Executive Committee and Ministers to identify where the Unit can add the greatest value.
3. Set and manage the Unit’s portfolio, balancing sustained delivery of major initiatives with rapid responses to new priorities.
4. Support the Deputy Director in planning activities over the longer term to achieve strategic goals.

Delivery

1. Lead support for delivery of UKEF’s Business Plan, translating major commitments into clear outcomes, milestones and accountabilities.
2. Lead a portfolio of UKEF’s highest-priority cross-cutting projects, from initial concept through to implementation and measurable results.
3. Lead rapid reviews of difficult delivery problems and provide senior leaders with clear, evidence-based recommendations.

Speed of execution

1. Lead work to make UKEF faster, simpler and more effective, particularly where processes or responsibilities cross several divisions.
2. Diagnose the causes of delay or underperformance and bring together operational, risk, policy, finance, legal, digital and commercial expertise to resolve them.
3. Challenge unnecessary complexity and administrative burden while ensuring appropriate controls and accountabilities are maintained.

This list is not exhaustive; you may be required to carry out additional duties according to business need.

Person specification

Essential

Qualifications

• Graduate level qualification or significant relevant professional experience. (A)
• Evidence of continuing professional development. (A)

Knowledge

• An understanding of the government policy landscape related to UK exports and/or wider business support. (A, P & I)
• Outstanding political sense and understanding of government priorities. (A, P & I)

Skills/Ability

• Highly organised & methodical approach to managing a workload, with ability to juggle multiple workstreams with shifting priorities. (A)
• Strong problem-solving skills. (A, I)
• Strong communication skills (oral and written) sufficient to be credible with a wide range of senior stakeholders and influence outcomes throughout all levels of an organisation. (A&I)
• Strong analytical ability to understand and advise on complex legal and policy issues. (A&I)
• Outstanding relationship-building and influencing skills, with a proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build consensus. (A & I)
• Ability to represent UKEF effectively externally at all levels. (A)
• Ability to lead, coach and manage within the division. (A&I)

Experience

• Policy development and implementation. (A&I)
• Managing teams to deliver outcomes. (A&I)
• Experience of collaborating and negotiating with external organisations and/or a wide variety of internal teams to achieve organisational objectives. (A & I)
• Experience of working in trade, financial services or government (A)

Other requirements

• Able to fulfil the travel requirements of the role, and work outside traditional office hours as required.

Qualifications

• Graduate level qualification or significant relevant professional experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Technical - A 10-minute presentation linked to the behaviour Seeing the Bigger Picture, followed by a Q&A based on a topic determined by UKEF and will need to be prepared in advance, the details of this will be provided to the relevant candidates.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £81,293, UK Export Finance contributes £23,550 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A